Naturally revegetated forest governed by mudflow induced sediment heterogeneity

We investigated an upstream area of the 1926 Taisho Mudflow that occurred at Mount Tokachi, a volcano in central Hokkaido, Japan, to clarify the relationship between natural forest succession and mudflow-induced sediment characteristics. The study area was divided into three parts, i.e., undisturbed, deposition, and scoured areas, based on disturbance regimes. The deposition area was further divided into three different forest stands for a final total of five forest stand types. We assumed that the mudflow regimes created sediment edaphic heterogeneity and undisturbed and island forests supplied seeds for natural revegetation. The undisturbed forest stand comprised pioneer species, whereas a mosaic forest consisting of almost pure stands characterized by Betula ermanii and Picea glehnii developed in the mudflow. This indicates that each plant species has a characteristic ability to establish and adapt initially and later develop into a mosaic forest according to sediment edaphic conditions, particularly depth, grain size distribution, and water and nutrient gradients. The differences in forest species composition and a 30-year time lag between the development of forest stands at the distal edges and the center explain how the cross-sectional sediment edaphic heterogeneity created by the mudflow regimes affected succession and forest development. Furthermore, plants are specific to sediment depth and texture, as well as moisture and nutrient availability, which play important roles in their growth and development; thus, forest stands with contrasting species and age structures developed in the mudflow.     

Conversion of conifer plantations to native hardwoods: influences of overstory and fertilization on artificial regeneration

Forest tree species in the eastern US such as American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh) and oaks (Quercus spp.) have been negatively impacted by forest changes over the past century. Many mature, introduced pine (Pinus spp.) plantations exist in the Midwest US following establishment 50–60 years ago yet have little economic and ecological value. As oak and chestnut have similar site preferences to pines, these stands may be ideal sites for hardwood restoration plantings. We sought to determine optimal management strategies for converting pine plantations by manipulating their canopies. We underplanted hybrid American chestnut and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings into three canopy treatments (control, shelterwood, clearcut) and included an open field treatment. For each of two growing seasons, 0, 30, or 60 g 19N–6P–12K of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) were also applied to seedlings. Soil chemical parameters and leaf nutrients were analyzed throughout the study. Chestnut and oak seedlings had significantly greater height after two growing seasons in the clearcut and shelterwood than the control and open field, and chestnut had significantly greater diameter as well. Chestnut height and RCD growth were threefold that of oak after two growing seasons. In general, fertilization increased seedling growth more in the clearcut and open field than shelterwood and control for both species. Soils had significantly higher pH, K, and S in the open field than in pine stands. Results suggest that pine plantations may serve as target sites for restoration of these hardwood species. Shelterwoods and clearcuts are both favorable conversion options for oak and chestnut, and addition of CRF may augment further growth increase, especially in open environments.     

How to quantify forest management intensity in Central European forests

Existing approaches for the assessment of forest management intensity lack a widely accepted, purely quantitative measure for ranking a set of forest stands along a gradient of management intensity. We have developed a silvicultural management intensity indicator (SMI) which combines three main characteristics of a given stand: tree species, stand age and aboveground, living and dead wooden biomass. Data on these three factors are used as input to represent the risk of stand loss, which is a function of tree species and stand age, and stand density, which is a function of the silvicultural regime, stand age and tree species. Consequently, the indicator consists of a risk component (SMI_r) and a density component (SMI_d). We used SMI to rank traditional management of the main Central European tree species: Norway spruce (Picea abies [Karst.] L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and oak (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea L.). By analysing SMI over their whole rotation period, we found the following ranking of management intensity: oak<beech<pine?spruce. Additionally, we quantified the SMI of actual research plots of the German Biodiversity exploratories, which represent unmanaged and managed forest stands including conifer forests cultivated outside their natural range. SMI not only successfully separate managed from unmanaged forests, but also reflected the variability of forest management and stand properties across the entire sample and within the different management groups. We suggest using SMI to quantify silvicultual management intensity of stands differing in species composition, age, silvicultural system (even-aged vs. uneven-aged), thinning grade and stages of stand conversion from one stand type into another. Using SMI may facilitate the assessment of the impact of forest management intensity on biodiversity in temperate forests.     

Benchmark stem densities for forests and woodlands in south-eastern Australia under conditions of relatively little modification by humans since European settlement

Estimates of forest and woodland structure prior to major periods of modification (e.g. prior to European settlement) are routinely used to inform decisions relating to biodiversity conservation, silviculture and carbon sequestration potential in natural forests and woodlands. The techniques used to derive these estimates often demand that data be collected from specific geographic locations (e.g. locations for which historic survey records exist, where pollen accumulates, or where there is little modification by humans since European settlement) and therefore are often inherently biased. In this study we predicted numbers of trees by diameter class for several widespread forest and woodland types in south-eastern Australia under conditions of relatively little modification by humans since European settlement. To do this we fitted Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) separately to counts of stems in eight diameter classes from 495 plots using explanatory variables representing human modification, environmental variation and natural disturbances. We predicted stem densities under conditions of relatively little modification by humans since European settlement from these models by holding the significant explanatory variables representing modification by humans at minimum observed values. We compared these predictions with published estimates of pre-European stem densities and estimates that we derived for stands at theoretical equilibrium using the quotient of diminution (q). Our mean predictions were broadly comparable with estimates derived from both of these sources; however, we appeared to over-estimate numbers of stems in the smaller diameter classes for some vegetation alliances. A key outcome of this research – and rarely reflected in other techniques used to predict pre-European forest structure – was the amount of variation in stem numbers even within a single diameter class and vegetation alliance. For example, in the white box vegetation alliance, flat parts of the landscape supported 5 times the number of large trees (>80 cm DBH) found on upper slopes under conditions of relatively little modification by humans since European settlement. Our results therefore suggest that these forests and woodlands are more structurally heterogeneous than typically reflected in pre-European estimates and vegetation alliance should not be the unit for managing these stands. The methodology we present is applicable in many forests where the objective is to predict forest structure under conditions of relatively little modification by humans.     

Effects of even-aged and uneven-aged timber management on dung beetle community attributes in a Missouri Ozark forest

The goal of this study was to estimate the effects of even-aged, uneven-aged and no-harvest forest management on dung beetle community attributes at both landscape and local (either closed or open canopy within treatments) scales. We collected a total 2579 individuals of Scarabaeoidea with 72 baited pitfall traps in the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project throughout the summer of 2003. Six species accounted for 81% of all individuals collected, with community composition changing over the summer. At the landscape scale, the effects of treatments on overall abundance and abundance of individual species varied geographically, with forest thinning reducing abundance compared to clear-cutting forest stands and no harvest but in only one of the three blocks. The effects were also dung beetle species-specific, as there were unique responses of abundances of individual beetle species to the treatments. Five species (Ateuchus histeroides, Deltochilum gibbosum, Onthophagus pennsylvanicus, O. taurus, and O. tuberculifrons) were affected by forest thinning. In contrast, at the local scale, canopy opening (through timber harvesting and natural tree falls) increased expected (rarefied) species richness. Ordination showed that community composition was uniquely different among the six harvest treatments by canopy openness combinations. Together these results demonstrate that timber extraction from a temperate forest ecosystem influenced community composition of dung beetles at the landscape level, but this impact varied with cutting treatment, geographically, and by dung beetle species.     

Nature conservation and timber production in areas with fragmented ownership patterns

Forestry has transformed the tree species composition and structure of Swedish forests. The fragmented ownership pattern in areas with non-industrial private forest ownership (NIPF), in combination with these forestry practices, have created fragmented forests with relatively low proportions of habitat types important to many species. Ecological landscape planning has been suggested and tested as a mean for integrating nature conservation and timber production in Sweden. However, ecological landscape planning concepts have been developed for areas with homogenous ownership patterns and not for areas with fragmented ownership. In this study, stands that are voluntarily set aside by individual forest owners were examined in terms of nature conservation value, and compared to randomly selected stands obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. In order to obtain rather detailed data about the set-aside stands, semi-standardized interviews were carried out directly with forest owners in three landscape areas dominated by NIPF. The interviews showed that 26 out of 29 forest owners could locate some stands where they did not have high requirements for timber yield. These stands had higher than average local and spatial nature conservation value as a result of stand structure, composition and location in the landscape. The stands did not have a random location or size, being found closer to key habitats as well as forming equally large or larger patches than other stands. These stands are suggested to form a basis for ecological landscape planning as forest owners seem to have some kind of ‘common view’ of which stands to set aside. This common view could be used to coordinate the contribution made by individual forest owners to nature conservation in areas with fragmented ownership patterns.     

Species proportions by area in mixtures of Scots pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) and European beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.)

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominate many of the European forest stands. Also, mixtures of European beech and Scots pine more or less occur over all European countries, but have been scarcely investigated. The area occupied by each species is of high relevance, especially for growth evaluation and comparison of different species in mixed and monospecific stands. Thus, we studied different methods to describe species proportions and their definition as proportion by area. 25 triplets consisting of mixed and monospecific stands were established across Europe ranging from Lithuania to Spain in northern to southern direction and from Bulgaria to Belgium in eastern to western direction. On stand level, the conclusive method for estimating the species proportion as a fraction of the stand area relates the observed density (tree number or basal area) to its potential. This stand-level estimation makes use of the potential from comparable neighboring monospecific stands or from maximum density lines derived from other data, e.g. forest inventories or permanent observations plots. At tree level, the fraction of the stand area occupied by a species can be derived from the proportions of their crown projection area or of their leaf area. The estimates of the potentials obtained from neighboring monospecific stands, especially in older stands, were poorer than those from the maximum density line depending on the Martonne aridity index. Therefore, the stand-level method in combination with the Martonne aridity index for potential densities can be highly recommended. The species’ proportions estimated with this method are best approximated by the proportions of the species’ leaf areas. In forest practice, the most commonly applied method is an ocular estimation of the proportions by crown projection area. Even though the proportions of pine were calculated here by measuring crown projection areas in the field, we found this method to underestimate the proportion by 25% compared to the stand-level approach.     

Epiphytic lichen diversity in late-successional Pinus sylvestris forests along local and regional forest utilization gradients in eastern boreal Fennoscandia

Pinus sylvestris-dominated forests have been heavily utilized across all of boreal Fennoscandia and the remaining natural forests are generally highly fragmented. However, there are considerable local and regional differences in the intensity and duration of past forest utilization. We studied the impact of human forest use on the diversity of epiphytic and epixylic lichens in late-successional Pinus sylvestris-dominated forests by assessing species richness and composition along both local and regional gradients in forest utilization. The effects of local logging intensity were analysed by comparing three types of stands: (i) near-natural, (ii) selectively logged (in the early 20th century) and (iii) managed stands. The effects of regional differences in duration and intensity of past forest use were analysed by comparing stands in two contrasting regions (Häme and Kuhmo–Viena). The species richness of selectively logged stands was as high as that of near-natural stands and significantly higher in these two stand categories than in managed stands. Species richness increased with the density of small understorey Picea, which correlated strongly with decreasing intensity of local forest use and increasing structural complexity of selectively logged and near-natural stands. Stands in the Häme region hosted a lower number of species, and were less likely to host many old-growth indicator species than the Kuhmo–Viena region, suggesting that species have been lost from stands in the Häme region due to a longer history of intensive forest use. We conclude that selectively logged stands, along with near-natural stands, are valuable lichen habitats particularly for species confined to old-growth structures such as coarse trees and deadwood. In landscapes where natural forests have become fragmented, the management or restoration of the remaining late-successional Pinus-dominated forests, e.g. through the use of fire, should be carefully planned to avoid adverse effects on lichen species richness.     

Stand and landscape-level factors related to bird assemblages in exotic pine plantations: Implications for forest management

Plantations cover a substantial amount of Earth's terrestrial surface and this area is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades. Pinus plantations make up approximately 32% of the global plantation estate. They are primarily managed for wood production, but have some capacity to support native fauna. This capacity likely varies with plantation management. We examined changes in the richness and frequency of occurrence of bird species at 32 plots within a Pinus radiata plantation (a management unit comprising multiple Pinus stands) in south-eastern Australia. Plots were stratified by distance to native forest, stand age class and thinning regime. We also assessed the landscape context of each plot to determine relationships between bird assemblages and stand and landscape-level factors. Bird species richness was significantly higher at plots ≥300 m from native forest and in mature (∼20 years since planting) and old (∼27 years since planting) thinned pine stands. We were able to separate the often confounding effects of stand age and thinning regime by including old stands that had never been thinned. These stands had significantly fewer species than thinned stands suggesting thinning regime, not age is a key factor to improving the capacity of pine plantations to support native species (although an age × thinning interaction may influence this result). At the landscape level, species richness increased in pine stands when they were closer to native riparian vegetation. There were no significant differences in species composition across plots. Our study indicates the importance of stand thinning and retention of native riparian vegetation in improving the value of pine plantations for the conservation of native fauna.     

Grapevine (Vitis spp.) dynamics in association with manual tending,physiography, and host tree associations in temperate deciduous forests

The role of lianas (woody vines) in the development and diversity of both tropical and temperate forests under differing management scenarios has not been thoroughly explored. We examined changes in grapevine (Vitis spp.) densities over time in clearcut stands as influenced by manual tending, physiography, and host tree associations. We used data from long-term studies on 66 clearcut stands dominated by temperate deciduous forest tree species on the Hoosier National Forest in south-central Indiana, USA. Fourteen of the stands had grapevines removed manually, approximately during the stem exclusion stage of development. Grapevine densities steadily increased from age 5 until age 15, which coincides with the period of stem exclusion of these stands. Subsequent grapevine mortality may have been related to light competition. Manually treated stands had similar grapevine densities as untreated stands after 20 years across sites, and it appeared that only on the most xeric area was the grapevine treatment effective in reducing grapevine densities. During early stand development, ranging from ages 5 to 17, grapevine density was strongly related to slope position, but as stands developed through the stem exclusion stage, aspect emerged as a stronger factor influencing grapevine density. Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), walnut (Juglans spp.), and elm (Ulmus spp.) were the most common grapevine host trees under both treated and untreated scenarios, which may be associated with the crown architecture of these species. Results suggest lianas play a critical role in the early development of disturbed forest sites in temperate deciduous forests. With concerns that lianas are increasing in abundance and distribution in these forest types, understanding their role in forest dynamics, such as host tree associations at different stages of development, competition dynamics on different sites and corresponding influences on tree growth, species composition, and diversity, will be critical to decision-making processes in achieving desired management goals in the future.     

Additions of landscape metrics improve predictions of occurrence of species distribution models

Species distribution models are used to aid our understanding of the processes driving the spatial patterns of species’ habitats. This approach has received criticism, however, largely because it neglects landscape metrics. We examined the relative impacts of landscape predictors on the accuracy of habitat models by constructing distribution models at regional scales incorporating environmental variables (climate, topography, vegetation, and soil types) and secondary species occurrence data, and using them to predict the occurrence of 36 species in 15 forest fragments where we conducted rapid surveys. We then selected six landscape predictors at the landscape scale and ran general linear models of species presence/absence with either a single scale predictor (the probabilities of occurrence of the distribution models or landscape variables) or multiple scale predictors (distribution models + one landscape variable). Our results indicated that distribution models alone had poor predictive abilities but were improved when landscape predictors were added; the species responses were not, however, similar to the multiple scale predictors. Our study thus highlights the importance of considering landscape metrics to generate more accurate habitat suitability models.     

Population dynamics of tree species in southern Quebec,Canada: 1970–2005

Over the last few decades, several phenomena contributed to modify the structure and composition of the eastern North American forests. Along with forest management, disturbances such as insect defoliation, global environmental changes, acid deposition, and rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, have been identified as phenomena that could affect forest structure and composition. Currently, there is very little quantitative information on the resulting effect of multiple disturbances on the main parameters of forest dynamics (growth, mortality, and recruitment). Using available data from the Quebec permanent sample plots network, we analyzed the ecological response of tree species populations to the combined effect of contemporary global environmental changes, disturbance regimes, and forest management practices over the last 30 years in southern Quebec. The results indicate that the main parameters of forest dynamics changed considerably over the last three decades. The last spruce budworm outbreak initiated a successional change in coniferous stands. The basal area of Abies balsamea and Picea glauca, the most abundant coniferous species, decreased by 29.7%, while pioneer species abundance increased. For late successional deciduous species, observed changes in forest dynamics appear to be mainly associated with global environmental changes rather than with natural disturbances or forest harvesting. The results indicate that inferring responses of tree population dynamics to global environmental changes can be very complex or even misleading considering the confounding effects of other disturbance agents. The results also suggest that the ecosystem-based management approach promoted by forest ecologists, aimed at maintaining landscape stand composition and structures similar to those characterizing natural environments, will not be easily achieved. Forest ecosystems are highly dynamic and disturbances other than tree harvesting appear to have been the major factors affecting their pattern of change over the last three decades. Forest managers should consider adaptive management approaches that will consider the contemporary evolution of forest ecosystems in a changing environment.     

Stand-replacing wildfires?: The incidence of multi-cohort and single-cohort Eucalyptus regnans and E. obliqua forests in southern Tasmania

The natural age structure of wet eucalypt forest has important implications for biodiversity conservation and the mode of wood production. Southern Tasmanian wet eucalypt forests were sampled to describe age class variation and to test the following hypotheses that relate to it: (1) Eucalyptus regnans stands are more likely to be single-cohort than Eucalyptus obliqua and mixed stands; (2) old-growth trees are associated with multi-cohort wet eucalypt forests; (3) the E. regnans stands are more multi-cohort than Victorian E. regnans stands. Data from 762 stands, all with either E. obliqua or E. regnans were analysed to determine how stand characteristics related to forest type and to the presence of old-growth trees. Over half the stands studied were multi-cohort. Stands with E. regnans had a lesser tendency towards multi-cohortness than stands lacking this species, although most old-growth stands, including those dominated by E. regnans, were multi-cohort. In contrast, most regrowth stands of all species combinations were single-cohort. The proportions of E. regnans stands that were multi-cohort were similar to some estimates from the same type of forest in Victoria. Modifications of forestry regimes in wet eucalypt forests could help to maintain the existence of these biodiverse multi-cohort forests in the landscape.     

森林作业与森林环境

本文通过森林作业对林地土壤、作业地径流量及水质、森林生物多样性、森林景观及大气中二氧化碳的含量等几方面的综述和分析,阐述了森林作业对森林生态环境的影响。指出,森林资源锐减是产生当今森林环境危机的主要因素之一。森林作业对森林生态环境的不利影响是客观存在的,但只要规划合理的作业方式和途径,可以减少这些不利的影响,促进森林生态环境的良性循环。     

Determining the shade tolerance of American chestnut using morphological and physiological leaf parameters

American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.) was once a principal component of the eastern deciduous forest until it became functionally extinct as a result of the invasive fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr. Restoration efforts are underway by means of a blight-resistant American-Chinese chestnut hybrid, and detailed silvicultural information, such as the shade tolerance of American chestnut and optimum site selection for restoration, is critical for planting success. In the present study, the physiological and morphological leaf characteristics of pure American chestnut seedlings, saplings, and mature trees were investigated in one of the few remaining stands of oak-chestnut vegetation (West Salem, WI) to determine shade tolerance. Seedlings, saplings, and mature trees had high maximum rates of photosynthesis, similar to shade intolerant species, and low light compensation points (LCPs), quantum efficiency, leaf mass per area (LMA), and percent nitrogen content, reminiscent of shade tolerant species. Dark respiration rates of seedlings and saplings were low, but increased in mature trees. LMA was found to significantly increase with height in the canopy, indicating a high level of light-induced plasticity. The results of this study suggest that American chestnut should be classified as intermediate in shade tolerance.     

Functional analysis of vegetation on alpine treeline ecotone in the Julian and Kamnik-Savinja Alps in Slovenia

Our study focused on the functional aspects of plant species and vegetation at the transition from larch (Larix decidua Mill.) forest to mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra) stands on the alpine treeline ecotone. With increasing elevation, living conditions grow harsher, which is reflected in the plant species and functional trait composition of plant communities. At four different localities in the Slovenian Alps, relevés along an altitudinal gradient and according to vegetation type were made (European larch forests, larch trees-mountain pine shrubs, mountain pine shrubs), using standard Central European phytocoenological method. In the upper mountain pine belt, few differential species were found, since most species represented in mountain pine stands also occurred in the lower two vegetation belts, while there were many differential species in the lower forest belt. Species with considerable competitive ability and moderate stress tolerance dominated the upper treeline ecotone, whereas ruderality is poorly expressed. The importance of stress tolerance in plant strategies increased slightly in the mountain pine belt. Changes in the representation of some functional traits attributes were detected by vegetation belts, but complete species turnover did not occur. Changes in dominant life form involved greater cover of chamaephytes and nanophanerophytes in the upper mountain pine belt. Species with evergreen leaves dominated mountain pine stands and deciduous forest stands. The share of species with scleromorphic leaves increased in the direction of the mountain pine belt while the share of species with mesomorphic and hygromorphic leaves declined. Mountain pine stands create good conditions for the regeneration of tree species and colonisation by ecologically more demanding forest species while species of alpine grasslands withdraw on open areas. Since today’s treeline is lowered due to past human activity, an upward shift is expected. Also, considering the great importance of competition strategy, current conditions in mountain pine stands are favourable for future forest succession.     

Development of oaks (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) emerged from bird-dispersed seeds under old-growth pine (Pinus silvestris L.) stands

In East Germany, there are a lot of areas covered by old pine stands. They are growing on soils, on which under natural conditions without anthropogenic impact mixed stands of oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and pine (Pinus silvestris L.), would form a natural forest. An important objective of ecological silviculture in these areas is to convert the pure pine stands into mixed oak–pine stands by using natural regeneration methods. A highly appreciated assistant in this connection is the European jay (Garrulus glandarius L.). The remarkable results of its work have been found by analyzing the natural regeneration in a few old pine stands in the forest district of Weißwasser in Saxony. Although mother trees of oak are very scarce there, natural regeneration of oak was found everywhere in the research area. The oak regeneration, undoubtedly created by the jay, amounted to at least 2000 oaks/ha. They were mainly distributed at random, while pine regeneration was aggregated in places where gaps in the pine canopy occurred. Oak regeneration was established much earlier than pine regeneration. Thus, oaks exceeded pines in age, height and diameter. The oaks were also superior to pines concerning height increment for the last three years. Thus, there is a good chance for oak to defend its prevailing role in the regeneration in the future. Probably, the next forest generation will be composed of oak and pine trees. The analysis of the quality of the oak regeneration shows that there is no substantial difference to artificially sown oak stands. This indicates that the European jay creates oak stands sufficiently both in number and quality.     

Effects of local and regional landscape characteristics on wildlife distribution across managed forests

Understanding the impacts of local and regional landscape characteristics on spatial distributions of wildlife species is vital for achieving ecological and economic sustainability of forested landscapes. This understanding is important because wildlife species such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have the potential to affect forest dynamics differently across space. Here, we quantify the effects of local and regional landscape characteristics on the spatial distribution of white-tailed deer, produce maps of estimated deer density using these quantified relationships, provide measures of uncertainty for these maps to aid interpretation, and show how this information can be used to guide co-management of deer and forests. Specifically, we use ordinary least squares and Bayesian regression methods to model the spatial distribution of white-tailed deer in northern hardwood stands during the winter in the managed hardwood-conifer forests of the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Our results show that deer density is higher nearer lowland conifer stands and in areas where northern hardwood trees have small mean diameter-at-breast-height. Other factors related with deer density include mean northern hardwood basal area (negative relationship), proportion of lowland conifer forest cover (positive relationship), and mean daily snow depth (negative relationship). The modeling methods we present provide a means to identify locations in forest landscapes where wildlife and forest managers may most effectively co-ordinate their actions.     

Boreal bird community response to jack pine forest succession

The objective of this study was to examine bird communities in regenerating (5–25 years) and mature (40–100 years) jack pine (Pinus banksiana) forest in boreal Ontario. The study area was located near White River in north central Ontario with an area of 187,800 ha. We explored the response of bird community structure to stand age, and the influence of stand age on the distribution of individual species. We were interested in two principal questions. The first was how unique are the bird communities to specific age classes. If bird communities are highly specific to age classes then alterations to the age class distribution of the forest can have important impacts on the overall bird community composition and structure. The second question was how specific are individual species to age classes. Species that are highly specific to a single age class are expected to be highly sensitive to the amount and potentially the configuration of that age class on the landscape. We sampled birds for three breeding seasons. The number of bird species increased with stand age. Tree species composition did not change as stands aged, but there were distinctive changes in vegetation structure through succession. For example, the total amount of vertical vegetation structure increased significantly with age. More than half of the bird species examined were significant indicators of individual age classes. Blue-headed vireo, brown creeper, black-throated green warbler, golden-crowned kinglet, ovenbird and red-breasted nuthatch were all significant indicators of the mature age class. The bird assemblage of mature stands was significantly different from that of regenerating forest and within regenerating forest, 3–5-year-old stands contained a significantly different bird assemblage to that of 8–25-year-old regenerating forest. These results suggest that the distribution of forest age classes on the landscape is a critical element in determining habitat availability and therefore the viability of boreal bird populations in managed forests.     

Relationships between the structural complexity and lichen community in coniferous forests of southwestern Nova Scotia

The relationships between the structural complexity of coniferous forests and the epiphytic lichen communities that inhabit them were examined in 51 conifer-dominated stands in southwestern Nova Scotia. One hundred and fifteen lichen species were studied in stands in the age range of 50–300 years. Environmental variables shaping the structural complexity of each forest stand were measured and their relationship with lichen species were assessed using a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The CCA revealed that the considerable variation in lichen community composition can be explained by several environmental variables associated with forest structure. The stand orientation on the first axis of the CCA found the most important variables for lichen richness to be stand age, tree stem density and snag stem density. The stand orientation on the second axis is strongly correlated with deciduous stem density and abundance including specific deciduous tree species such as Acer rubrum abundance. The analysis indicates that the greater the structural complexity in the forest, and thus the more microhabitats available, the greater the lichen species richness. These results should provide forest managers with a better understanding of the environmental variables that influence lichen diversity, and contribute to the development of more sustainable forest management strategies.